RadioShack Says HD Antenna Sales Jump Amid CBS Blackout

Time Warner Customers May Be Growing Impatient

After two weeks without CBS on Time Warner Cable in certain markets, some Time Warner Cable customers seem to be taking matters into their own hands.

An image from a CBS ad attacking Time Warner Cable

The blackout, which is affecting 3.2 million customers in New York, Los Angeles and Dallas, has created a double-digit spike in high-definition antennas in those markets at RadioShack, a spokeswoman for the electronics retailer said Monday.

It's unclear exactly how many antennas sold that translates into, however: RadioShack declined to release concrete numbers on that score.

CBS was pulled from Time Warner Cable on Aug. 2 after carriage negotiations collapsed. Both sides have urged viewers to use alternate means to get the network, with CBS suggesting that Time Warner Cable subscribers switch to another pay-TV provider and the cable company reminding viewers of alternatives in streaming web video.

There's been no indication that CBS and Time Warner Cable have resumed negotiations in earnest, though the two are believed to be in contact. Consumers' frustrations are expected to heighten as football season moves through the preseason into the official season and highly-promoted fall TV premieres approach.

Contributing: Natalie Zmuda

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Jeanine Poggi

Jeanine Poggi covers the TV industry and how broadcast and cable networks and distributors are adopting to the changes in the world of TV advertising. She joined Ad Age in 2012, following six years covering the retail and media industries and other financial sectors for Women's Wear Daily, Forbes and TheStreet.